TF2 Drabbles: Engie & Scout - Ain’t Gonna Be There
Summary: One of the mercs declines to participate in a work social activity; everyone assumes they’re either upset/angry about something, protesting in some manner, or “socially overwhelmed” - nope, they just don’t find it interesting this year.
~
“What do you mean you’re not going to be there?” Scout asked.
“I mean, I ain’t gonna be there,” Engie replied. In the hopes of cementing that as the end of the conversation, he turned away to to resume his organization efforts. Chances were he wasn’t going to be getting his workshop perfectly organized but anything more than it was now would be an improvement.
“But it’s Thanksgiving! Basically everyone’s gonna be there and like half of them aren’t even American.”
Engie didn’t bother to turn to look at him as he replied. “Most of them are going for the alcohol and Sniper’s going ‘cause you two are practically dating at this point.“
“What? No we’re… it’s… shut up. It’s an American holiday and you’re American so you gotta come. Spy’s the only other one who said ‘no’. I guess he kinda gets a pass for being French or whatever but you really wanna be like him?”
The tool box made a loud thud and clatter as Engie dropped it on the work. He opened it to start taking stuff out. “Yup.”
“Why?”
“Just ain’t interested.” Like most Americans, he’d grown up celebrating it but it hadn’t meant much to him since childhood.
Scout was silent for several long seconds, long enough to almost give Engie hope of him having dropped it, only almost though. “Are you like mad at someone whose gonna be there and you don’t wanna be in the same room? Who is it? I won’t tell, promise.” A promise he wouldn’t keep because no one on the team could be trusted to keep team based gossip to themself for long.
“Nope. I just ain’t in the mood. Y’all have fun though.”
“Is it me then? What’d I do?”
“Nothing, I just got other stuff I’d rather be doing than sitting around eating food I don’t even particularly like.”
“Hmm… whatever, be weird then.” And with that Scout was finally leaving, pulling the door closed behind himself. Probably he would be back to pester Engie more later, possibly even day-of, but Engie would deal with that when and if it happened.
